Sara Zagorski, Gold Mine Thrift Store Retail Manager, recommends Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman.
Do you like intense character development, rebellion against the system, humanoid, sentient reptilian creatures and mystical adventures? Well, have I got the book for you.
Tess is a twin sister in an affluent family who’s resigned herself to the official title of black sheep. After spending her youth seeking out all the things women of her rank have no business being affiliated with—sneaking out to lectures concerning the world and its mysterious workings, hanging with boys in taverns, making friends with the creatures the rest of society has deemed “lesser”—until an accident leaves her forever disgraced in the eyes of her staunchly religious mother.
Tess of the Road made me feel a full range of emotions—sad, happy, annoyed, angry—a range I certainly didn’t give it permission to make me feel but…here we are.
Tess spends years coping by losing herself in wine while trying to take up as little space as possible in the shadow of her perfect twin sister. That is until, on the eve of her being shipped off to a nunnery, she finally loses what tenuous control of herself she’s maintained all these years and runs away.
While on the road, no destination in mind, she connects with friends both new and old, makes peace with her past, and accomplishes more than she could’ve ever dreamt had she stayed locked in the confines of what other people believed she should be.
Tess of the Road made me feel a full range of emotions—sad, happy, annoyed, angry—a range I certainly didn’t give it permission to make me feel but…here we are.
And I am very thankful to have experienced them all. Please give this book a read if you’re in need of a well-rounded heroine growing into herself and battling personal demons while in the midst of an exciting adventure. I have also, just now, learned there is a sequel! So it appears I have another book to check out.
